‘The Child Is Terrified’: Measles Doctors Speak Out
The United States has lost its measles-eliminated status due to persistent outbreaks and rising vaccine hesitancy. Public health experts and pediatricians warn that the return of this preventable disease poses a significant threat to children's health.
Why it matters
The loss of measles-free status marks a major regression in public health, highlighting the growing impact of vaccine skepticism in the US.
For the first time in a quarter century, the US no longer meets a main criterion for having eliminated measles as a public health threat. That status hinges on sporadic outbreaks fizzling out within a year. Utah’s outbreak has lasted for longer, since June 2025.
Nearly 400 people have been hospitalized with measles in the US this year and last, three people have died, and at least three suffered brain swelling with lingering symptoms.
This month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to finalize a comprehensive study of the nation’s measles situation, examining data from January 2025 through June 2026.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in